Copyright 2016 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Palazzo Mondadori, Via Mondadori 1, Segrate, Italy. International Rights Atlantyca S.p.A.

Transcription

1 THE LAND OF FLOWERS

2 Copyright 2016 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Palazzo Mondadori, Via Mondadori 1, Segrate, Italy. International Rights Atlantyca S.p.A. English translation 2017 by Atlantyca S.p.A. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. GERONIMO STILTON and THEA STILTON names, characters, and related indicia are copyright, trademark, and exclusive license of Atlantyca S.p.A. All rights reserved. The moral right of the author has been asserted. Based on an original idea by Elisabetta Dami. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920, 557 Broadway, New York, NY SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. Stilton is the name of a famous English cheese. It is a registered trademark of the Stilton Cheese Makers Association. For more information, go to No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the copyright holder. For information regarding permission, please contact: Atlantyca S.p.A., Via Leopardi 8, Milan, Italy; foreignrights@atlantyca.it, This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available ISBN Text by Thea Stilton Original title Il segreto delle Fate dei Fiori Cover by Caterina Giorgetti (design) and Flavio Ferron (color) Illustrations by Giuseppe Facciotto (layout), Chiara Balleello and Barbara Pellizzari (pencils and inks), and Alessandro Muscillo (color) Graphics by Marta Lorini Special thanks to Tracey West Translated by Emily Clement Interior design by Becky James Printed in China 38 First edition, October 2017

3 There s a Scent in the Air... Violet ran down the halls of Mouseford Academy. She had exciting news to tell her friends the four other mouselets known as the Thea Sisters. Look what I found! she cried as she ran into Colette and Pam s room. What is it? asked Paulina. It s the flyer for the academy s Spring Festival! Violet answered. Is it spring already? Pam asked. My fur is still frozen from winter! Violet s eyes shone with excitement. This is my favorite time of year. I love this festival! What does the flyer say? asked Pam.

4 The festival needs volunteers to work on different committees, Violet explained. Pam spoke up first. I ll help with the food! We can have cheese pizza, and cheese balls, and cheese dip... I can think of some games we can all play together outside, Nicky added. Then Colette entered the room. Her blonde hair was rolled in big, pink curlers. Check it out! What s it say?

5 What s going on? she asked. What have you got on your head?! Nicky asked, giggling. It s a way to get wavy curls without ruining your hair, Colette replied. One of my favorite beauty bloggers put up a video showing how to do it. It looks like you re wearing a hair helmet, Pam teased. Colette laughed. You still haven t answered my question, she reminded her friends. Violet showed her the flyer. It s almost time for the Spring Festival. Ooh, yes! Colette cheered. I have some great ideas for decoratio s this year. Who wants to be on the committee with me? I d love to, Violet said. 3

6 Me, too, added Paulina. Do you already have some ideas? Nicky spoke up. I ve been thinking that the theme should be spring flowers. That s perfect! said Colette. We could create beautiful displays of fresh flowers. And we could make colorful paper butterflies and dragonflies to go with the displays, Paulina suggested. These are all great ideas for the festival, Colette agreed. I ll be right back. Time to take out the curlers! Just then, a messenger knocked on the half-open door. A package for Violet, he said. Who s it from? Nicky wanted to know. It s from China, Violet said. My parents sent it. Come on, don t keep us in suspense. 4

7 Show us what s inside! cried Pam. Violet opened the package and took out a book with flowers on the cover. My mom knew I was excited about the Spring Festival, and I asked her to send me some inspiration, she said. Paulina looked over her shoulder. These illustrations are beautiful! Colette walked back in the room. Nicky gasped. Coco, your hair looks amazing! she cried. The other Thea Sisters agreed. Colette patted one of her soft curls. What did I tell you? She smiled. Guaranteed results! Then her eyes fell on Violet s book. What 5

8 pretty floral arrangements! she exclaimed. I know. Let s head to the Dolphin Club and start working on our ideas. Then we can bring them to the festival committees. Great! said Nicky. We could make some sample flower arrangements. Can we make one for Thea, too? Pam asked. That s a great idea! cried Paulina. Thea Stilton was a journalist, an adventurer, a teacher at Mouseford Academy and the reason the friends called themselves the Thea Sisters. She had called on Paulina, Nicky, Pam, Colette, and Violet several times to accompany her on missions for the top secret Seven Roses Unit. We can leave it on her desk so that she ll 6

9 find it when she gets back from her journalism conference, Paulina said. It will be the perfect way to say... Welcome back to mouseford! For Thea! What a great idea! Perfect!